The BBC will no longer license TV content to Russian clients in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Britain’s public broadcaster is also requesting the remaining episodes of two programmes, Dancing with the Stars and David Attenborough’s The Green Planet, are not aired on Russian state TV, despite the rights to both having already been sold.
The TV sector has joined many others in distancing itself from Russia as western countries increase sanctions against the nation. A spokesperson for the BBC said: “The BBC’s executive team were meeting today and they have decided to stop all content licensing to Russian customers.”
ITV also announced it will cease working with Russian clients following the invasion. A spokesperson said: “We have made the decision to stop new sales to Russian clients as we do not believe it appropriate to be doing business with them at this time.”
The UK’s largest trade association for independent producers, Pact, has called on its members to suspend cooperation and trade with the country.
The association counts Hartswood Films, which produced the TV series Sherlock, and World Productions, which is behind Line of Duty and Vigil, among its members.
A spokesperson said: “Pact calls for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and for a resolution of conflict by diplomatic means respecting the rule of law and the rights of the Ukrainian people.
“Whilst Pact sympathises with Russian creatives who do not have the same freedoms and safeguards that we enjoy in the United Kingdom, Pact has removed all Russian production and business information from its website and calls on members to suspend all co-operation and trade with Russia for the time being.”
Several major Hollywood entertainment companies, including Warner Bros, Sony Pictures and The Walt Disney Company, have paused the release of films in Russia in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
